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Get Back To Nature: Famous Five Parks, Edmonton
In the early 1900s, five Albertan women set out to change the shape of politics in Canada. In 1918, Canadian women attained the right to vote. But under the British North American Act, women were not considered “persons” under the law, and therefore, could not be appointed to the Senate. The five women, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy, and Irene Parlby began a 13 year journey that would take them to the Supreme Court of Canada and eventually the Privy Council in London. On October 18, 1929, the judgement finally came down that yes, Canadian women were “persons” under the law. The City of Edmonton has…
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Get Back To Nature: Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park over the last few years so I thought it was about time I checked it out. After an early May camping trip to Carson-Pegasus with other homeschool families didn’t pan out due to heavy rain, I made a reservation for the last week of May and luckily had great weather. At about 2 hours from Edmonton, Carson-Pegasus makes for a great weekend roadtrip, or even daytrip, and having Whitecourt 25 minutes away makes it easy to grab any forgotten items and provide additional activities. The lady at the gate pulled my reservation quickly and I paid $8 for a…
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Get Back To Nature: Upper Mill Creek Ravine
Mill Creek Ravine North and South (north and south trail off of 82 Ave) are fairly well know Edmonton trails, but do you know of the lesser know Upper Mill Creek Ravine tucked away in the Minchau neighbourhood, in the Mill Woods area of Edmonton? Adjacent to Minchau Park, a large green space and playground, and Barbara Danelesko Park, Upper Mill Creek Ravine is a granular trail that runs from about 34 Street and 34B Ave to around 40 Ave and 50 Street and also doubles as an off leash dog park. I parked in a mini cul de sac at the SE corner of the trail. Full Google Maps…
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Get Back to Nature: Gold Bar Park Stream
While Gold Bar Park is an amazing place to explore (largest urban park in Canada!), our favorite spot within it is a shallow stream that empties out into the North Saskatchewan River. We first discovered this fun spot while visiting Rundle Park and saw people along the shore of the river on the other side. We crossed the pedestrian bridge to Gold Bar Park and followed a narrow path through the trees that came out at the stream. The girls had fun wading in the water, picking up cool rocks and watching the minnows swim by. On our second trip back there was a summer recreation group exploring the…
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Get Back to Nature: Whitney Lakes Provincial Park
A few weeks ago the girls and I headed out on our first camping trip of the season. I wanted to go to an area I hadn’t been before, but also one with a place for the girls to splash in the water and try out their new floaties. After some research and a few change of plans, I settled on Ross Lake Campground within Whitney Lakes Provincial Park. Located 2.5 hrs east of Edmonton (or over 4 hrs when severe rain, hail and thunder storms cause you to pull over several times) in the County of St. Paul, this remote campground offers stunning lake views, private, treed campsites…
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Get Back to Nature: Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
Named after a former politician and Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park is a nature escape NW of Edmonton / west edge of St. Albert. Take the short dirt road across from LeClair Way into the parking lot and make use of the outhouse if necessary before heading out on the trail. With a boardwalk over wetlands and a scenic trail along the water, there are lots of opportunity for birds and wildlife viewing. Ducks and geese are abundant, you can see a beaver damn on the edge of the lake, and on our first visit to the park we spotted a moose and two calves across…
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Get Back To Nature: Braeside & Forest Lawn Ravines, St. Albert
We came across the Ravines while on our way to swim class last fall. A barely noticeable sign and a path down into the woods caught our attention as we drove by, and we made a note to come back and check it out when we had more time. We first visited during our 31 Day to Get Out and Explore, but we have come back to visit both ravines and explore further each time! Braeside Ravine is to the North and Forest Lawn Ravine is on the south side of Sir Winston Churchill Ave in St. Albert, just south of Boudreau Road. I usually come down Sir Winston Churchill…
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Get Back to Nature: Kinnaird Ravine, Edmonton
I have lived in Edmonton for over 10 years now and I only heard of Kinnaird Ravine (also known as Rat Creek Ravine) for the first time last fall. Tucked into the residential neighbourhood of Cromdale, just off 82 Street and south of Borden Park, this quiet dirt trail through the forest meets up with the paved River Valley Kinnaird trail, or you can head east on the trails around Highlands Golf Club. There are a few hills through the woods and little kids should be careful around the edges of the trail because it is steep in places, but the noises of the city are distant and replaced by…
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Get Back to Nature: 142 Street and 153 Avenue Edmonton
Edmonton has had beautiful weather so far this February, and the girls and I have had a chance to get out exploring in the sunshine a few times. I’m more of a summer person than winter, but if the temperature is -5°C or warmer and the sun is shining, I’ll tough it out. On a sunny day last week we made it out for a walk around one of our local favorites. Tucked away in the Rampart Industrial Park of NW Edmonton (142 Street and 153 Avenue) is a nature area consisting of a pond, gravel walking trails and a few benches. On the east stretch, you can either stay on…
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Get Back To Nature: Dunluce Forest
Tucked away in Northern Edmonton, is small but secluded Dunluce Forest with dirt paths that intertwine and lead to a greenbelt with a paved walkway. The entrance of the forest is right around 158 Avenue and 121 Street. Go off the main path and get a closer look at the trees, moss, and creatures that call it home. While we were there, the crows were making quite a fuss about us walking through their area. Bring a picnic and check out all the paths in the area or take a quick walk around and then stop by one of the local playgrounds (Dunluce Community League, Castledowns, and Oxford Parks are some of our…
